Tampons

It usually takes quite a few tries to insert your first tampon so don’t feel discouraged or embarrassed if you’re having trouble. Don’t worry about wasting tampons too if you have to keep starting over – that’s why there’s so many in the box ;).

If you’ve followed our How to insert a tampon guide and you are still having trouble inserting your first tampon then follow these tips & tricks!

If you’ve managed to get your tampon applicator in even 1 cm, then you’re ready to try the twist and glide.

Once your tampon is in, twist the applicator by turning it and pushing it in at the same time. The twisting and pushing motion will help your tampon applicator glide in easily.

Twist the tampon as you insert it to help the tampon glide in smoothly!

2. Lubricate the applicator

Wait until there is a lot of blood at your vaginal opening and then try to insert the tampon applicator again. The blood will act as a lubricant, making it easier for the applicator to slip into your vagina.

This also works if you’re using non-applicator tampons.

3. RELAX!

If you’re still finding it hard to even get the applicator in, then you may be tensing up too much! When you’re nervous, the muscles in your body will tense up. Your vagina is actually a muscular tube so when it tenses up, it makes it harder for you to insert your tampon.

I know it doesn’t help to just tell you to relax because when does that ever work right? The best way for you to relax is to just keep trying. The more you try, the more comfortable you will get and then your muscles will relax. Remember, you can do this!!!

Okay so you have swim class or a pool party coming up and you’re going to get your period during that time – Eeek!

But don’t worry! The good news is you don’t have to miss class or that awesome pool party because yes, you can totally go swimming on your period!

I’m going to share with you everything you need to know about swimming on your period.

Tips on Swimming On Your Period

You can’t wear a pad

Pads absorb liquids and that includes the pool water. Even if you wear an ultra-thin pad and wear shorts to cover it, a pad in the water will poof up and won’t absorb your period.

You can swim on your period when you wear a tampon

Tampons are worn inside your body to absorb your period before it leaves your body.

When you change your tampon, you may find that your tampon is a little wet at the bottom closer to the string. This is because a tiny bit of pool water enters your vagina when you go swimming. That’s completely normal and your tampon just absorbs it.

Menstrual cups are a great option and many athletes actually choose to wear them for their comfort and reliability. There’s no age limit on who can wear them and they can be worn for up to 12 hours of leak-proof protection. Menstrual cups are reusable soft silicone cups that like tampons are worn inside the vagina however, instead of absorbing your period, it works by collecting your period in the cup.

Menstrual cups stay in place by forming a vacuum seal with the soft edges of the cup by pressing against your vaginal walls. You won’t be able to feel a menstrual cup when it’s inside you.

One of the best and easiest to use menstrual cups is the award winning DivaCup.

Another option is the Instead SoftCup. It’s a little different from the silicone cups and are worn higher up in your vagina right below your cervix.

You don’t have to swim on your period. You can sit out and it’s okay.

Periods are complicated. For whatever reason if on the day of your period, you just don’t feel like swimming – just tell your friends or your coach that you can’t swim that day. They will understand – TRUST me on this one.

Wearing a tampon or menstrual cup is a personal choice. If you don’t want to do that then that’s completely fine.

If you could not figure out how to wear a tampon or menstrual cup in time for your pool party or swim practice – that is completely fine too.

You may feel unwell during your period. Sometimes your cramps may be too much for you to go swimming and that is completely okay.

It is not a big deal to sit out. Just tell your coach in private or send a message to your friends. It may seem embarrassing but as you get older, you will realize that it is really not a big deal.

Do you go swimming on your period? Share your answers with us in the comments section below :)!

Many girls worry that wearing a tampon will make them lose their virginity or that inserting a tampon will break your hymen.
Some cultures may refer to the hymen as the “virginal tissue”. These cultures hold the view that virgin girls will still have their hymen in tact and non-virgins will not. But there are many activities that can tear your hymen so a torn hymen doesn’t mean you’ve lost your virginity.

This means when your partner’s penis enters your vagina – that is when you lose your virginity. You cannot lose your virginity to a tampon. Girls that have used tampons but have not had sex are still virgins.

But will a tampon break your hymen?

It could but it’s unlikely!

The hymen is a stretchy tissue that surrounds or partially covers the vaginal opening. When you insert a tampon for the first time, there are 3 scenarios that can happen:

Most likely the tampon will pass through without breaking your hymen

Another likely scenario is your hymen will stretch to allow the tampon to pass through

Unlikely scenario: Your hymen covers more of your vaginal opening and tears when you insert a tampon

When the hymen tears, some girls may notice a slight pain and some girls may not feel anything at all.

The hymen has no real purpose and your vagina works completely fine whether the hymen is torn or in-tact.

Even if your hymen tears – you are still a virgin.

There are actually many normal every day activities that can tear your hymen including gymnastics, bike riding, horse back riding, exercise, and self-exploration. For some girls, the hymen is very stretchy and can even remain in tact after the first instance of intercourse.

The tampon is worn in the upper or inner two thirds of the vagina. This is the part farthest from the vaginal opening and it is not sensitive to touch, that’s why you can’t feel your tampon when it’s inserted properly.

This part of the vagina is less muscular and has more nerves that are sensitive to pressure. You don’t notice the pressure from wearing a tampon which is also why you can’t feel your tampon inside you.

If you’re worried that you inserted it wrong because of the angle – don’t worry because it doesn’t matter how you insert it – if you’ve got it in, it’s in. But if you can still feel it, then that means it’s still too low in your vagina. Don’t worry, there are several things you can do to fix it.

Wash your hand and make sure your finger nails aren’t pointy. Now instead of using an applicator, your finger will act as the applicator.

Insert your finger inside your vaginal opening just like you inserted the applicator.

Feel for the bottom of the tampon and push it up higher until you can’t feel it anymore

If it hurts when you push it up higher, that means your vagina is too dry. It hurts when a dry tampon rubs up against your vaginal walls because the outer third of your vagina closest to the opening is very sensitive to touch.

The best thing to do if it hurts too much is to pull it out and start all over.

Or you can start all over

Now that you know that a tampon needs to be up higher, this time when you insert the applicator push it up higher and do not pull the applicator out until the plunger is all the way in.

Can you feel it now?

If yes and it still hurts when you try to push it up higher with your finger, start all over again but this time wait until there is more blood. Your blood will act as lubrication to help the applicator and tampon slide in easily.

That’s the feeling of your period leaking! It’s always a great idea to wear a panty liner with your tampon just in case to catch leaks.

If you have a very heavy flow and only have a regular tampon, then you may want to wear a heavy absorbency panty liner or even a pad instead. Leaks are usually heavier when you have a heavy flow. Wearing a tampon is if you think you will be in a situation where you will not get the opportunity to change your tampon such as a long hike, a long exam, or meeting.

It slides out easily when you tug on the string

Every time you use the toilet, give your tampon string a light tug. If the tampon seems to move or slide out easily then that means the tampon is fully saturated and ready to be changed!

You see some blood on the string

Usually this is a sign that you’ve just caught your tampon before it leaks! Give the string a tug and you should find that it’s ready to be changed :).

Sometimes you may find that the tampon isn’t ready to be changed or that the tampon isn’t fully saturated yet. Your tampon may look like it’s only absorbed period on one side and then started to leak out. If this is the case, it’s ready to be changed anyways since it’s already leaking.

Don’t want to risk a leak? Just check anyways

Maybe you’ve decided to wear your super hot white pants on a heavy flow and really don’t want to risk a leak ;). Whatever the case may be, just check your tampon every hour or every chance you get to use the bathroom.

Remove your tampon immediately if…

Using tampons puts you at risk of contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). The following is a list of TSS symptoms but only one or two symptoms may occur:

Sudden fever (usually 102°F or more)

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Red rash that looks like sunburn on any part of your body

Dizziness or feeling faint when standing upUsing tampons puts you at risk of contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). These are TSS symptoms but only one or two symptoms may occur.

When you become more familiar with your body, you will find a method that works best for your flow and the tampon you are using.

One of the reasons so many girls and women are scared of trying a tampon is because they don’t know how their body parts work. And that’s a completely valid reason because unlike boys, your reproductive system is inside your body where you can’t see it. But you can see your vulva using a mirror.

Become comfortable with your own body by learning the parts of your vulva, identifying them on the diagrams and on your own, and by learning the purposes of each part. Once you learn what each part does, it’s not so much of a mystery anymore and inserting your first tampon becomes less scary.

2. Learn how to insert a tampon

When you’re trying something new, you should learn how to do it properly. Check out our illustrated easy to follow guide here where you can learn how to insert a tampon in 4 easy steps.

Learn how to use the applicator and how to tell when a tampon is inserted correctly. (It’s actually really simple!)

3. Find your vaginal opening with your finger, not the applicator

If you can successfully identify all the parts of your vulva including your vaginal opening, the next step is to find it with your finger.

Finding your vaginal opening is much easier to do with your finger when you can touch and feel. It’s even easier to find during your period. Just follow where your period is coming from with your finger – that will lead you to your vaginal opening. It sure beats poking around with a plastic applicator!

4. Yes! You have a vaginal opening!

Unless you are actually a boy or some sort of medical miracle, you have a vaginal opening. Your period leaves your body from your vaginal opening so don’t worry, you have a vaginal opening. Even if you have a hard time finding it, yes you have a vaginal opening!

Like the vagina, the vaginal opening can stretch easily. It is a fact the your vaginal opening can stretch just like it is a fact that your hair will grow!

If you are having a hard time inserting your first tampon, try the light absorbency tampons. They are smaller and some girls find it easier to insert.

6. It’s impossible for a tampon go get lost

The vagina is a cul de sac. Your vagina is a muscular tube that ends at your cervix. Your vaginal muscles hold the tampon in place and there is literally no where for a tampon to go so it is completely impossible for a tampon to get lost in your vagina.

In the case that you lose the string some how, you just have to get it out with your hands. It’s not lost – it’s just in your vagina and you just need to take it out. Simple!

7. Your tampon can’t get stuck

Your vagina is a tube – that’s it! There’s nothing for it to get stuck on to.

Even if the tampon is not fully saturated yet, you can still pull out a dry tampon. It may be a bit uncomfortable and may even hurt a bit but even then it’s impossible for your tampon to get stuck.

Nope! You just can’t! Just like it’s a fact that your vaginal opening stretches easily, your pee hole CANNOT stretch at all. Your pee hole is also tiny so your tampon or finger will definitely not fit in there.

9. You can’t lose your virginity to a tampon

A girl loses her virginity when she engages in sex – that means when a penis enters your vagina. A tampon is not a penis so no, you cannot lose your virginity to a tampon.

10. It’s unlikely your tampon will tear your hymen

Your hymen is a stretchy tissue that surrounds or partially covers the vaginal opening. For most girls, your hymen will be able to stretch to allow a tampon to pass through.

11. Relax! Just keep trying!

When you’re tense or nervous your vaginal muscles also tense up making it harder for you to insert your tampon. I know it’s hard to just relax when someone tells you to and honestly my best advices is to just keep trying.

If you haven’t tried to insert your first tampon yet and you need to for swim or dance, just go for it! Even if you don’t get it on your first try, just keep trying. As you keep trying you will become more comfortable with your body and the idea of wearing a tampon. You will become more relaxed, making easier to insert your first tampon :).

Have you inserted your first tampon? Do you have any tips to share? Share your answers in the comments section below!

If you find that your tampon is getting full or starts to leak at the 1 or 2 hour mark, then you may want to consider switching to a higher absorbency.
For example if you are wearing a regular absorbency tampon and your start to leak at the 2 hour mark, change to a heavy absorbency tampon. It should last you longer to the 3 or 5 hour mark.

Tampons must be changed at least every 6 to 8 hours

The same tampon can be worn for at most 6 to 8 hours so remember what time you put in your tampon.
Make a mental note or set a reminder on your phone to change your tampon.
Your tampon should be saturated by then and if it isn’t, then switch to a lower absorbency tampon.

You should always use the lightest absorbency needed for your flow

Tampons are different from pads in that they are worn inside your body. Tampons change the environment of your vagina by absorbing not only your period but the natural and healthy fluids in your vagina.
When this happens, it provides a good environment for bad bacteria to grow including the bacteria that causes TSS.
Your risk of TSS is greater when you wear the wrong absorbency for your flow (ie. wearing a heavy absorbency tampon when you have a light flow).

How often do you change your tampon? Share your answers in the comments section below!

Yes, you can wear a tampon to sleep but you need to follow these rules!

Change your tampon at least every 6 hours

Tampons must be changed at least every 6 hours

Tampons can only be worn when you have a flow

Use the lightest absorbency needed for your flow

The first thing you need to do when you get up is to change your tampon or take out your tampon and put on a pad. Remember to set your alarm so you don’t wake up too late!

If you’re expecting your period but haven’t started bleeding yet then you need to wear a pad and not a tampon.

You also need to use the right tampon for your flow. This means if you have a regular flow, use a regular absorbency tampon. If you have a light flow but only have heavy absorbency tampons then do not use the heavy tampons and use a pad instead.

Why should I follow these rules?

It’s for your own safety!

Aside from getting up just in case you leak, these rules are in place to lower your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

Tampons are different from pads in that they are worn inside your body. When worn inside your body, tampons change the environment of your vagina by absorbing not only your period but the natural and healthy fluids in your vagina. When this happens, it provides a good environment for bad bacteria to grow including the bacteria that causes TSS.

Your risk of TSS is greater when you wear the wrong absorbency for your flow. For example, wearing a heavy absorbency when you have a light flow will increase your risk for TSS.

Vaginal discharge can make your most comfy panties wet and crunchy (you know what I mean!) and unfortunately your anti-VPL thongs are no exception. Vaginal discharge is acidic and can even bleach and put holes in your panties.

Luckily, pantiliners can be worn to save your thongs and panties and give you that fresh clean feeling.

The best part? You don’t have to buy the expensive thong pantiliners anymore because I found a trick to save you $ and you can still wear all your favorite thongs!

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to make your own thong pantiliner from a regular pantiliner so you can wear your favorite thongs all the time! Or watch our video tutorial here.

3 Easy Steps To Make A Thong Pantiliner

Before we start, we’ll need:

Pencil

Scissors

Thong

A regular pantiliner: Choose a pantiliner that’s flat with a good adhesive. Don’t use the poofy ones.

Step 1: Trace the outline of your thong onto the back of the pantiliner

I like to make it a “Y” shape so I have coverage in the front and back.

Step 2: Cut along your traced lines

Step 3: Peel back and stick it on your thong just like a normal pantiliner

Now you can wear your favourite thongs using your regular pantiliners!

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If you have yet to decide whether you prefer tampons or pads, don’t worry: There are pros and cons to each option, and depending on your lifestyle, one could suit you much more than the other. Of course, it’s up to you to make that call, but we want to help.

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